Bookmobile Reveal

 

The BPL Board of Trustees invites the public, journalists and elected officials to attend the reveal of the new BPL bookmobile on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the Central Library. 

The vehicle, called BPL Mobile, is far more than a traditional bookmobile, offering a variety of library services beyond having books and DVDs on board. On BPL Mobile, patrons will be able to take advantage of many services available in libraries across Birmingham – use computers, get access to free Wi-Fi, and obtain Citizen services such as notarizing, fax and printing. In addition, BPL Mobile will take programs on the road such as library story times and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

This project was made possible by a donation of a para-transit bus from the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) and a partnership with a local developer, Ed Ticheli (American Life Lofts). 

"We are excited to share BPL Mobile with everyone. This library on wheels will allow the Birmingham Public Library to continue putting people first by expanding our high-quality services and programs outside our physical walls to neighborhoods across Birmingham." said Janine Langston, Executive Director of the Birmingham Public Library. "We appreciate the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority for donating the decommissioned para-transit bus and Mr. Ed Ticheli for partnering with BPL to make this project possible." 

This is the first time BJCTA has donated one of its paratransit vehicles to BPL, and the first such donation of its kind in BPL history.

BPL Mobile Webpage Link

What: Birmingham Public Library (BPL) Bookmobile Reveal 
When: Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 3:30 p.m. 
Where: Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 
Details: The public and media are invited to join us as the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) executive team and BPL Board of Trustees reveal the BPL Bookmobile. 

The vehicle is a result of a collaboration between BPL and the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA), and local developer Ed Ticheli. In 2021, the BJCTA donated a para-transit bus to BPL, allowing the library system to provide mobile library services by bookmobile to the 99 neighborhoods of the City of Birmingham. This valuable service is an innovative approach to bridging the digital divide and expanding citizen services to underserved communities.